_ 320 _ It is the beginning and the source in which three famous rivers rise, the Tigris, the Euphrates and the Araks. The Tigris, which rises in the nearest ranges of mountains at thirty-five and a half degrees, flows in a southerly direction and comes to the bridge of Altun Copri, which is the main head of the river. From here it flows to a city called Assinquif, and near here it is joined by the river of Carahemite and the stream of Betliz all these rise in the same range of mountains. These cities will be described. Together with a few other small streams which join together, they form a great river which flows from this city of Assinquif to Jijara, an island two days’ journey away; from there it flows to another city called Mosul, about three days’ journey. Here many leather boats, full of wind, with their mouths upwards (sic) are built with logs lashed together like rafts. For this reason they are very safe and carry many people and goods downstream to the great city of Babylon, in the domain of the Turk, which lies at thirty-six and a half degrees, seven or eight days’ journey from Mosul. It passes through another ancient city, all ruined and destroyed, which is half way. It has a castle called Tigret, and there are always people and guards of the Turk here. It stands on a height which drops down into the river, and from
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